A Most Unpleasant Wedding by Judith Alguire

a warrant?”
    Creighton grinned. “I think we do.”
    Rudley ran down the front steps as the laundryman pulled up in front of the Pleasant, accosting the man as he got down from his truck. “You’re late.”
    â€œI am not late, Mr. Rudley. I was detained.”
    Rudley crossed his eyes.
    â€œI suffered a mechanical malfunction.”
    â€œI’ve been keeping an eye out for you all morning. I wanted to make sure I caught you. Those serviettes you brought yesterday aren’t the right ones.”
    The laundryman went to the back of the truck, loaded his dolly. “We have your order under control, Mrs. Rudley and I.”
    â€œYou spoke to Margaret?”
    â€œI did. Mrs. Rudley has kept me constantly apprised of the latest requirements for your fête.” He looked at Rudley over his glasses. “Don’t you speak to Mrs. Rudley?”
    â€œNow, see here.”
    â€œIf you had spoken to Mrs. Rudley,” the laundryman went on, impervious to Rudley’s glare, “you would have known that the napkins for the wedding will be delivered on the morning of the wedding. The napkins delivered yesterday were replacements for those of general use that have become discoloured, frayed, or have otherwise been rendered unsuitable for your fine establishment and exacting standards.” As Rudley began to splutter, he added, “I wouldn’t feel too badly, Rudley. A wedding in the family is always a disorienting experience.” He wheeled the dolly around smartly and headed for the back entrance before Rudley could respond.
    Rudley charged back up the steps into the lobby.
    Margaret was on the phone, brow furrowed as she listened. “Oh, dear. I see,” she said finally. “Well, thank you.” She hung up.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Margaret?”
    â€œThe Reverend Burley in Brockton is not available to perform the ceremony. Apparently, he made an error in his booking schedule. He’s on vacation in Ireland and won’t return until after the date.”
    â€œThey must have someone to fill in.”
    â€œJune’s a popular month for weddings, Rudley. His replacement already has three weddings on that day. The secretary suggested Miss Miller might try to get someone from her home parish.”
    â€œNo need for that, Margaret. We can get that old guy from Middleton to fill in.”
    â€œReverend Pendergast? I believe he’s retired.”
    â€œMen of the cloth don’t retire.”
    â€œI’ve heard he’s a little forgetful.”
    â€œI can’t see how that would be a problem. There are enough of us here who’ve been through the ceremony. If he stumbles, someone will cue him.”
    She didn’t look convinced.
    â€œI could perform a wedding in my sleep,” Rudley went on. “I can’t see why innkeepers can’t marry people when all sorts of ninnies are allowed to.”
    â€œI believe all those ninnies have to have been invested with the authority, Rudley.”
    â€œYes,” he fumed, “some blockhead clerk can marry a couple, while a man of sensibilities cannot.” Rudley paused, gave Margaret a jaunty smile. “What the hell. A wedding is a wonderful thing.”
    â€œIt is.” She gave him a peck on the cheek. “I’m so glad to see you in good spirits.”
    â€œWhen am I not?”
    â€œI have to check on something in the kitchen,” she said.
    He whistled a few bars of “Get Me to the Church on Time” and did a little shuffle. Why shouldn’t he be in good spirits? He regretted the fate of the woman in the forest as he regretted the passing of any person. But the murder hadn’t taken place at the Pleasant proper and didn’t involve anyone on the premises. Still, terrible thing to kill a woman. “Although, I have been sorely tempted at times,” he murmured as Mrs. Sawchuck hobbled into the lobby. The woman’s death was a